Retiring HCC chairman praised for industry commitment

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales’ (HCC) retiring chairman Dai Davies has been thanked for his dedication and achievements over the past six years.

Davies announced at HCC’s annual conference on Thursday, 10 November, that he will be stepping down from his position next April.

“As you all recognise, he is a very popular and very well-respected leader, recognised for this in the 2010 honours list with an OBE,” commented Welsh government Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths.

“I am sure you all agree that Dai has a huge breadth of experience and if you think I’m going to let you go, Dai, that’s not going to happen! We’ll find something else for you to do going forward.”

Speaking at the conference, Davies told the attendees that there was a need for HCC to refresh its board to properly and effectively promote the organisation’s ambitions. “That is why I have decided to hand over the reins in April next year to a new chair who can take HCC onto the highest level with a reinvigorated board,” he explained.

Davies has also served as president of the National Farmers’ Union Cymru and is the Welsh government appointee for the Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group and Programme Monitoring Committee of the European Structural RDP funds.

Griffiths added she would encourage women to show an interest in new HCC board opportunities that will occur in time for April. “I have met so many able women over the past six months and I particularly want to encourage women to apply to get a much better gender balance on the board.”

She also addressed the importance of returning levy from Welsh animals slaughtered in England back to Wales, leading to frustration. “It needs addressing and it needs to be fair. However, the legislative complexities of achieving the outcomes of the proposals set out by the levy board industry forum should not be underestimated.”

She revealed that officials were working with the Scottish government and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs to make progress on the required legislature.

Griffiths also said the industry needed to grasp the opportunities Brexit will present, although it will also deliver challenges.

“It is important that we continue to have access to key markets in Europe and that is why the First Minister, my cabinet colleagues and myself are doing all we can to achieve unfettered and free trade access to those markets.”